Health Benefits of Honey

 

In this post, we will see the multiple health benefits of consuming Honey. Honey ranks among nature's best medicines. Its properties include antimicrobial and antiseptic effects against bacteria, fungi, viruses, mites and yeast. Honey also supports healthy digestion and helps regulate blood sugar levels.

It contains antioxidants and some research suggests that it may help protect against cancer. Other studies suggest that honey provides relief from coughs, colds, sore throats and skin problems.

In addition, honey is an ideal carrier for vitamins, minerals and enzymes. It is used in nutritional therapies including those for diabetes, arthritis, eczema, constipation, infections, diarrhea, indigestion and heart disease.

Honey is often produced in small amounts from bees gathering nectar from flowers. However, honey is also often added to foods to improve their flavor. There are many varieties of honey, but two of the most common types are raw and processed. Raw honey contains pollen grains and other ingredients from the hive where it was collected. This is considered to be healthy and nutritious. On the other hand, commercially prepared honeys often contain extra sugars, stabilizers, preservatives and colorings to increase shelf life.

The best way to enjoy the health benefits of honey is to eat it directly from the comb. However, honey can be applied topically for minor cuts and burns. The amount recommended varies by brand, but generally 1 teaspoon per area is enough.

There are many ways to consume honey, including spreading it on toast, eating it straight, mixing it into smoothies, adding it to tea and coffee, using it on salads, and baking with it. Here are top 20 health benefits of honey to have a look at.

1. Antibacterial

Honey contains antibacterial properties that help kill off bacteria. This allows the body to fight infections and reduce swelling. Honey contains antibacterial compounds that kill bacteria including E. Coli and Staphylococcus Aureus. This makes it great for food preservation and making baby bottles safer. Honey is also a natural antiseptic, making it great for treating minor wounds and cuts.

                Honey kills bacteria and viruses. Its antibacterial properties help prevent diseases from spreading. Honey can kill bacteria directly through its acidity. This same property makes it effective at killing fungus that cause athlete's foot and ringworm. Additionally, honey contains several antioxidants that combat the spread of infections.

Antimicrobial properties are the first property that comes to our mind when thinking about honey. This makes sense since honey is produced from bees who consume pollen and nectar. When the bees collect their food, they ingest a number of microorganisms along with pollen and nectar. The antimicrobial properties of honey help kill bacteria, viruses and fungi.

Research shows that honey kills pathogens and bacteria including salmonella, listeria, and staph. Antibacterial properties help stop harmful bacteria from sticking to countertops and sinks. However, it should be noted that honey doesn’t kill viruses. Honey does its job best when used before bacteria attaches to surfaces, but once it has done its work, it cannot remove the pathogen. To eliminate germs, use disinfectant wipes or spray cleaners.

2. Anti-inflammatory

Because of its high sugar level, honey helps ease inflammation. Most of the time, this is caused from allergies. Honey provides relief from painful symptoms associated with allergies. The anti-inflammatory properties of honey help alleviate inflammation throughout the body. Inflammation occurs when the immune system responds to pathogens and irritants by activating white blood cells to fight off infection. Chronic inflammation causes many diseases including heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer’s, arthritis, asthma, diabetes, autoimmune disorders, and even depression.

3. Aphrodisiac

Honey helps boost sexual desire and improve sexual functioning. Honey’s antioxidant property protects the cells of the blood vessels, making it easier for blood flow into the genital area. This makes the genitals look brighter, firmer, and healthier.

4. Nutritional

Aside from being great tasting, honey is packed with vitamins and minerals. It provides 25% of the recommended daily intake of vitamin B6, 10% of protein, 15% of calcium, and 20% of iron.

5. Healing

People around the world have used honey as a remedy for wounds since ancient times. When applied topically, honey speeds healing, reduces pain, and alleviates irritation.

6. Honey contains Antioxidants

Honey is full of antioxidants; some studies show honey reduces cholesterol levels & helps prevent cancer cells from multiplying. Antioxidants help fight off free radicals and help maintain overall good health. Honey is great for weight loss, too.

7. Honey Helps Digestion

A study showed that drinking raw honey before meals was associated with lower blood glucose levels, better glucose tolerance and less insulin resistance. When you eat foods rich in carbohydrates, your body converts those carbs into sugar (glucose). This sugar then enters the bloodstream. If you consume honey along with carbohydrates, however, this sugar doesn't enter the bloodstream. By eating foods with honey, you slow down digestion. This means fewer calories are converted to fat and stored away; instead, they stay in the digestive tract where they help our bodies absorb nutrients.

                For centuries, honey has been used as a digestive aid due to its ability to stimulate digestion. When you consume honey, it breaks down sugars and starches into smaller molecules allowing your body easier access to energy. It helps eliminate gas and bloating that can result from eating foods containing large amounts of fiber, especially beans and nuts.

8. Honey Promotes Healthy Teeth

Some researchers believe honey may reduce tooth decay because it promotes healthy teeth. A recent study published in the Journal of Dental Research suggested that honey stimulates the production of saliva, which helps wash away food particles. The result: healthier gums and teeth.

9. Honey Can Treat Headaches

Studies suggest that consuming raw honey in hot water three times a day could relieve headaches. Researchers suspect that the pollen in honey acts as a natural antihistamine. Histamines play a role in allergies, hay fever, and headaches. Other research suggests that the enzymes in honey may be responsible for its ability to treat headaches. Still other scientists believe that the hydrogen peroxide found in honey may destroy histamines.

10. Immune Booster

In addition to its general antioxidant activity, honey also boosts immunity. This is especially true for young children whose immune systems are still developing. Honey helps boost their ability to combat infections and illnesses.

                    The body immune system helps us fight off external pathogens and toxins. The immune system uses white blood cells to identify and destroy foreign substances. One of the advantages of honey is due to its ability to stimulate the production of white blood cells. This leads to faster healing and improved immunity.

11. Diabetic Remedy

Diabetes affects millions of Americans. However, honey can help lower glucose levels and insulin requirements in diabetics. It also stabilizes sugar levels in type 1 diabetics, helping prevent ketosis.

12. Low-Calorie Content

The low-calorie content of honey means that you can eat more without gaining weight. Honey provides only 4 calories per tablespoon. While this might seem small, it adds up to approximately 70 calories per day. By comparison, standard table sugar contains around 130 calories per cup.

13. Healthier Toothpaste

When used correctly, honey can actually improve dental hygiene by preventing cavities. Cavities result from plaque buildup, and honey works to remove this plaque. Plaque buildup occurs when bacteria present in saliva combines with carbohydrates found in food. The combination creates sticky films that form along teeth surfaces and eventually results in tooth decay. Honey removes some of these sticky bacterial films, reducing the risk of developing cavities.

14. Treating Pain

Pain is a sign of illness and injury. This is why painkillers are prescribed to treat different types of pains. Honey works similarly to pain relievers and provides a natural solution to ease aches and pains.

15. Honey is sweet and delicious!

The taste of this wonderful natural sweetness is hard to beat. But honey is much more than a great tasting treat; it contains many beneficial properties that help our bodies stay healthy. This sweet substance is made from nectar secreted by flowers. Bees collect nectar from various plants to create honey. And as bees pollinate plants, they produce plenty of pollen too. Both nectar and pollen contain different types of vitamins and minerals your body needs to function properly. Studies show that consuming honey may reduce cholesterol levels and protect against heart disease. It’s also good for your teeth as it promotes gum health. So, instead of reaching for unhealthy candy bars, grab some honey instead!

16. Promotes Healthy Hair and Nails

Honey is great for nourishing hair and nails. It also softens hardening cuticles. It is used in cosmetic treatments and massages.

17. Its vitamin B content helps boost immunity.

Honey contains several nutrients including vitamins A, C, D, K, and thiamine as well as manganese and pantothenic acid. Research shows that honey boosts immunity and protects cells from damage. The antioxidants found in honey improve skin health and protect against sunburns. Honey prevents inflammation which relieves pain and discomfort associated with certain conditions including arthritis, eczema, psoriasis, acne, and poison ivy rashes.

18. Honey is antiseptic.

Studies suggest that honey can prevent infections because it fights off bad bacteria. Antimicrobial properties in honey fight bacteria and viruses. When applied topically, honey stops irritation before it starts. It also reduces itching and speeds healing time after minor wounds heal. It works best if it is applied directly to infected areas and left on for at least 15 minutes. Wash hands thoroughly afterward.

19. Promotes Healthy Skin

The antioxidants present in honey help maintain healthy skin. This means that they protect against damage caused by ultraviolet rays, pollution, stress, and environmental toxins. Honey helps retain moisture and prevents dryness in the skin. This makes it great for treating eczema, psoriasis, sunburns, acne, cuts, scrapes, and rashes.

20. Treats Bronchitis

Bronchitis occurs when the mucus lining of the airways becomes inflamed. Honey promotes healing and relieves the symptoms of bronchitis. It reduces coughing, fever, spasms, and pain associated with this condition.

            So, Here are the top 20 health benefits of consuming honey. So make sure to include honey in your diet and take full advantage of its list of amazing benefits. Stay Healthy, Stay Safe..